"THE HERITAGE / COLOSSUS STORY"

Having started out as a one-off label for the 1961 doo-wop single "When We Get Married" by the Dreamlovers (previously heard singing backup on Chubby Checker's Cameo-Parkway sides), the Heritage label lay dormant until 1968 when owner Jerry Ross reactivated it to release soul singles. And soul he did release. The Showstoppers "Ain't Nothin' But a Houseparty" showed the way for J. Geils later cover, and a string of singles by Bill Deal & The Rhondels followed with punchy, brassy arrangements.
As Heritage was winding down, Ross picked up several European singles for release on the Colossus label, including three top-40s: "Venus" (#1) by Shocking Blue, "Ma Belle Amie" (#5) by Tee Set and "Little Green Bag" (#21) by George Baker Selection.
Colossus had a few other minor hits, including the Crystal Mansion's cover of James Taylor's "Carolina In My Mind" and The Italian Asphalt & Paving Company's "Check Yourself." Also included in the Blood, Sweat & Tears -like "Give It To Me" by the Mob. Lesser soul singles by The Festivals and Devonnes are also included.
Overall this is an interesting compilation (of 20 tracks - the songlist above is flawed), featuring one label owner's scavenger hunt for talent. (Hyperbolium)
Jerry Ross had an ear, a vision of buying ready made hits and with crossed eyes and fingers, made a Heritage/Colossus legacy of fine, fun, and future film songtracks.
This CD has 1966-1970 Heritage label terrific Chicago style early funk by the Showstoppers, "Ain't Nothing But a Houseparty", an early Ska hit, later done by J. Giels/others. Cherry People had a top 60 version of Left Bank's, "And Suddenly". Bill Deal and Rondells, a So.Carolina frat band covered somewhat obscure R/B hits like the Tams, "What Kinda Fool", and Maurice Williams/Zodiacs, "May I", (also SCA), had top 30 hits on Heritage.
Colossus label was the Dutch Invasion! Concurrent with Heritage was Colossus with huge top 10 hits like, Shocking Blue's, "Venus", Tee Set's, "Ma Belle Ami", and George Baker Selection's, "Little Green Bag". The vocals on these songs are reputed to be English phonetic, not the singer/band's first language. Pre-ABBA!! None of the Colossus label bands made any further inroads into the Top 40, except, George Baker's, "Una Paloma Blanca", in 1975.
Late '60's early '70's aflicionados treasure these pop weirdness. Quentin Taratino has made a career out of knowing these songs (check out "Reservoir Dogs" and the marching scene to "Little Green Bag" Heck even "The Simpsons" have imitated it..it is now pop culture. (Orthotone)

trax:
1. When We Get Married - The Dreamlovers 2. Ain't Nothin' But A Houseparty - The Showstoppers 3. May I - Bill Deal & The Rhondels 4. And Suddenly - The Cherry People 5. Ma Belle Amie - Tee Set 6. Venus - Shocking Blue 7. Check Yourself - Italian Asphalt & Paving Co. 8. Little Green Bag - George Baker Selection 9. Sooner I Get To You - Biddu 10. Carolina In My Mind - The Crystal Mansion 11. Don't Hang Me Up Girl - The Cherry People 12. I've Been Hurt - Bill Deal & The Rhondels 13. Everything Is Beautiful - Jerry Ross Symposium 14. You're Gonna Make It - The Festivals 15. Give It To Me - The Mobb 16. Venus - Jerry Ross The Symposium 17. Pick Up My Toys - The Devonnes 18. What Kind Of Fool Do You Thing I Am - Bill Deal & The Rhondels 19. I Dig Everything About You - The Mobb 20. Goodnight My Love - The Duprees
...served by Gyro1966...

"SAVOY BLUES" 1944-1994

Savoy Blues explores sessions recorded between 1944 through 1994 (although the actual last date was 1992) for the legendary West Coast label. While the material had been previously released on similar Savoy compilations, these tracks hadn't been heard in these cleaned-up incarnations, using 24-bit digital transfers from the original acetates and tape masters. Hearing these cleaned-up tracks by Big Joe Turner, Johnny Otis, Billy Eckstine, Big Maybelle, and Joe Williams is a pleasure and will even impress the most picky audiophile. Lovingly compiled, produced, and annotated by Billy Vera, Savoy Blues is a must. (Al Campbell, AMG)Three discs. 62,61,66 min. each approximately. Remastered sound. Released as somewhat of an advertisement for Savoy Records,there is a lot of good music on these three discs. Spanning the years between 1944 through 1992,the majority of tracks are from the forties,fifties and sixties. A number of differing styles can easily be heard on the fisrt disc,from the jump-blues of Hot Lips Page and Billy Eckstine to slower blues of Etta Jones,to the smooth syle of Gatemouth Moore,to the more traditional sounds of Brownie McGhee. The second disc starts off with John Lee Hooker in a solo style that is his trademark. There are also big band blues by the great Johnny Otis with Little Esther on vocals. Also on this disc are a number of blues shouters,whose efforts are all good. The mysterious Little Miss Sharecropper has a couple of good tracks with her smooth but energetic vocals over a big band arrangement. Moving into the latter part of the fifties we hear Nappy Brown singing The Right Time with great emotion,which includes background singers-the combination which is powerful to say the least. A fine surprise was the inclusion of Lafayette Thomas,whose blues guitar is compelling in this collection. There are more tracks by John Lee Hooker,and Memphis Slim-who does a fine job on Cold Blooded Woman. We then jump to the seventies with Eddie Kirkland singing and playing guitar in a traditional style. Following that is Robert Lockwood Jr. updating Dust My Broom,among others. This set concludes with the ever smooth Charles Brown from 1992. His vocals and piano are always in sync and with an understated backing,this is a fine way to end this collection. It's a shame that this collection is not more well-known,because it brings together a number of tracks otherwise unavailable onto one package. The booklet gives recording dates and short but informative notes on the artists. For anyone who enjoys blues in several styles-this is certainly something that should be at the top of a list of modern post-war blues collections-don't let the Savoy Jazz label throw you off. (Amazon)

trax-disc 1:
1. Uncle Sam's Blues - Hot Lips Page 2. Groovin' the Blues - Miss Rhapsody [Viola Wells] 3. Lips Blues - Hot Lips Page 4. Evil Gal Blues - Albinia Jones w/Don Byas's Swing Seven 5. Salty Papa Blues - Albinia Jones w/Don Byas's Swing Seven 6. All I Sing Is the Blues - Billy Eckstine 7. I'm Going Way Back Home - Gatemouth Moore w/Budd Johnson Orchestra 8. Walking My Blues Away - Gatemouth Moore w/Budd Johnson Orchestra 9. Man Wanted - Etta Jones w/Pete Johnson 10. I Got My Discharge Papers - Big Joe Turner 11. My Gal's A Jockey - Big Joe Turner 12. Tell Me Pretty Baby - Billy Eckstine 13. Jelly, Jelly - Billy Eckstine 14. I'm Still In the Dark - Big Joe Turner 15. Love Doctor Blues - Gatemouth Moore 16. Auto Mechanic Blues - Champion Jack Dupree & Brownie McGhee 17. Midnight At the Barrelhouse - Johnny Otis 18. Doc's Boogie - Doc Pomus 19. Fruity Woman - Doc Pomus 20. Lucille, Lucille - Big Joe Turner 21. Hollywood Bed - Doc Pomus
trax-disc 2:
1. Goin' Mad Blues - Delta John [John Lee Hooker] 2. Lowdown Midnight Boogie - Birmingham Sam [John Lee Hooker] 3. Robbie-Doby Boogie - Brownie McGhee 4. Miss Pearl Boogie - John Lee Hooker 5. Do the Boogie - John Lee Hooker 6. Mistrustin' Blues - Little Esther & Mel Walker w/Johnny Otis Orchestra 7. Sad Feeling - Helen Humes w/Marshall Royal & His Orchestra 8. Knockin' Myself Out - Helen Humes 9. Stacked Deck - Billy Wright 10. Doggin' Blues - Linda Hopkins w/Johnny Otis Orchestra 11. Warning Blues - Linda Hopkins w/Johnny Otis Orchestra 12. Good Lovin' - H-Bomb Ferguson 13. Take Out Some Time - Little Miss Sharecropper(LaVern Baker) 14. I've Tried - Little Miss Sharecropper 15. How Long - Little Miss Sharecropper 16. Never Trust a Woman - Tommy Brown 17. Keyhole Blues - Eddie Mack 18. Goin' Down Slow - Billy Wright 19. In the Evening - Joe Williams 20. Kansas City Blues - Joe Williams 21. Things Have Changed - Sticks McGhee
trax-disc 3:
1. The Right Time - Nappy Brown 2. Ramblin' Blues - Big Maybelle 3. Blues Early, Early, Parts 1 & 2 - Big Maybelle 4. Please Come Back to Me - Lafayette Thomas 5. Texarkana - Lafayette Thomas 6. One Man's Mad - Memphis Slim 7. Cold Blooded Woman - Memphis Slim 8. Sittin' Here Thinkin' - John Lee Hooker 9. Sad And Lonesome - John Lee Hooker 10. Snake In the Grass - Eddie Kirkland 11. When I First Started Hoboing - Eddie Kirkland 12. Hard to Raise a Family - Eddie Kirkland 13. Dust My Broom - Robert Lockwood, Jr. 14. Forever On My Mind - Robert Lockwood, Jr. 15. Selfish Ways - Robert Lockwood, Jr. 16. I Put Myself Together - Charles Brown 17. I've Got a Right to Cry - Charles Brown
...served by Gyro1966...

CLARENCE "FROGMAN" HENRY "The Complete Argo Recordings"

He could sing like a girl, and he could sing like a frog. That latter trademark croak, utilized to the max on his 1956 debut smash "Ain't Got No Home," earned good-natured Clarence Henry his nickname and jump-started a rewarding career that endures to this day around the Crescent City.
Naturally, Fats Domino and Professor Longhair were young Clarence Henry's main influences while growing up in the Big Easy. He played piano and trombone with Bobby Mitchell & the Toppers from 1952 to 1955 before catching on with saxist Eddie Smith's band. Henry improvised the basic idea behind "Ain't Got No Home" on the bandstand one morning in the wee hours; when the crowd responded favorably, he honed it into something unique. Paul Gayten (New Orleans A&R man for Chess Records) concurred, hustling Henry into Cosimo Matassa's studio in September of 1956. Local DJ Poppa Stoppa laid the "Frogman" handle on the youngster when he spun the 45 (issued on the Chess subsidiary Argo), and it stuck.
Despite some fine follow-ups -- "It Won't Be Long," "I'm in Love," the inevitable sequel "I Found a Home" -- Frog sank back into the marsh sales-wise until 1960, when Allen Toussaint's updated arrangement melded beautifully with a country-tinged Bobby Charles composition called "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do." Henry's rendition of the tune proved a huge pop smash in early 1961, as did a Domino-tinged "You Always Hurt the One You Love" later that year.
Frogman continued to record a variety of New Orleans-styled old standards and catchy originals for Argo (Chess assembled a Henry album that boasted what may be the worst cover art in the history of rock & roll), even recording at one point with Nashville saxist Boots Randolph and pianist Floyd Cramer. But the hits dried up for good after 1961. Henry opened 18 concerts for the Beatles across the U.S. and Canada in 1964, but his main source of income came from the Bourbon Street strip, where he played for 19 years. You'll likely find him joyously reviving his classics at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival every year come spring -- and his croak remains as deep and melodious as ever. (Bill Dahl, AMG)

trax:
01 ain't got no home 02 but i do 03 troubles, troubles 04 it won't be long 05 i found a home 06 lonely tramp 07 i'm a country boy 08 baby, baby please 09 i'm in love 10 lonely street 11 if i didn't care 12 i want to be a movie star 13 never never 14 long lost and worried 15 on bended knees 16 lost without you 17 i love you yes i do 18 come on and dance 19 dream myself a sweetheart 20 little suzy 21 two to tango 22 i wish i could say the same 23 why can't you 24 steady date 25 looking back 26 just my baby and me 27 a little too much 28 your picture 29 live it right 30 oh why 31 standing in the need of love 32 the jealous kind 33 oh mickey 34 you always hurt the one you love
...served by Gyro1966...

The Bills "Knife In 'Yer Gut" 2006

"When polluted, oil-slicked waves crash upon the beaches of a mist-shrouded graveyard full of old, 'B' horror movies under a full moon, you can hear the shriek of 'The Bills' pervade the air."The Bills (all of 'em) proudly present "Knife in 'Yer Gut", 15 delinquent horror surf tunes including the never before released studio version of "Fuck You All". Whether you're greasing up the monkey or tuning up the grease, these tracks are guaranteed to complicate your already stressful day. Recorded with the lowest possible fidelity, this disc remains a benchmark on the New Orleans surf scene. The Bills would like to stress that this record features all four Bills. Previously released Bills records have featured the various contributions by session players, while "Knife in 'Yer Gut" represents the full scale collaboration of Bill one, two, three, and four. Signed on a one record deal with Rectum Records, this maybe the only national release of the Bills, so order while you're still high.

trax:
01 Homecoming Night 02 Organ Cafe 03 The Maggot 04 Straight From The Gutter 05 The Cockface Creep 06 Open 'Er Up 07 At The B Bar 08 Son Of Blob 09 Arson 10 The Giant Gila Monster 11 Machete 12 Beat Girl 13 Smelly Greaser 14 Breaking And Entering 15 Fuck You All

OTIS CLAY "That's How It Is" (Hi Records '72-'77)

Hi Records put Otis Clay's soul-dripping, gruff vocals to good use, but the company's real promotional efforts revolved around Al Green. Hence, Clay's recordings, like Syl Johnson, Don Bryant, and Ann Peeple's, got the scraps. This CD, however, captures the essence of one of Memphis' finest Southern soul singers and will get you up to speed. Clay left it all in the studio, so every track is stellar. The picks are any song written by Bryant; Clay's remake of Jackie Moore's "Precious, Precious," "I Die a Little Everyday," the Bobby Womack ish "I Didn't Know the Meaning of Pain," "The Woman Don't Live Here No More," Mack Rice's "Pussy Footing Around" and "House Ain't a Home (Without a Woman)." Sandra Chalmers, Judy Rodman, and Karen Taylor's voices sweeten every track they touch. A classic collection of Southern soul. (All Music Guide)

trax:
01 Trying To Live My Life Without You 02 I Die A Little Each Day 03 Holding On To A Dying Love 04 I Can't Make It Alone 05 You Can't Keep Running From My Love 06 Let Me Be The One 07 Brand New Thing 08 Precious,Precious 09 I Didn't Know The Meaning Of Pain 10 That's How It Is 11 Too Many Hands 12 I Love You, I Need You 13 Pussy - Footing Around 14 Too Much Mystery 15 I Can't Take It 16 Home Is Where The Heart Is 17 I've Got To Find A Way ( To Get You Back ) 18 Slow And Easy 19 House Ain't A Home ( Without A Woman ) 20 Keep On Loving Me 21 Born To Be With You
...served by Gyro1966...

BETTY WRIGHT "My First Time Around" (1968)

This album was originally released in 1968, to support the chart success of lead single, Girls You Can't Do What The Guys Do. That track is the opening track here, and what a majestic recording it is. It sets a very high standard for any album to maintain, but Betty sees that challenge and enjoys every moment of it.
These recordings have all the youthful exuberance that you would expect from a 14-year-old as Betty was at the time, but also a depth that you would only normally associate with a much older singer. Betty even contributes to the writing, Circle Of Heartbreak being written single-handed. To highlight individual tracks is a bit unnecessary, every track stands tall on its own and as part of the whole album.
The essay by Tony Rounce is informative and of a decent length.
If I have one slight downer, it is that the non-album singles that are mentioned in the essay as following this album were not added in as bonus tracks. At only thirty-two minutes and full price, the additional of those bonus tracks would have been very welcome.
That though is a minor quibble. It will not stop me from awarding five stars and recommending this cd to anyone who has found their way to this listing. (Simon Cross, Amazon)

trax:
01 Girls Can't Do What Guys Do 02 Funny How Love Grows Cold 03 I'm Gonna Hate Myself In The Morning 04 Circle Of Heartbreak 05 Sweet Lovin' Daddy 06 Cry Like A Baby 07 Watch Out Love 08 He's Bad, Bad, Bad 09 I Can't Stop My Heart 10 I'm Thankful 11 The Best Girls Don't Always Win 12 Just You
Files in .m4a!...served by Gyro1966...

The Reverend Horton Heat "Space Heater" 1998

This album is a rocket ship into the world of Lies, Revolutions, Love, Idols, Losers, and Mexican Holidays. Just add liquor to all that and let yourself go manic!! - By Brant Weaver "Beavenour" (Hanover, Pennsylvania)"Space Heater" is Horton Heat's 5th studio album & second/last for Interscope Records. Again, it may not be his best & you may prefer other discs he's recorded over this one, but the fact remains that The Rev. just NEVER puts out a bad album.
His 5th release has another round of 16 stellar songs. There's at least 1 instrumental where Mr. Heath shows off his chops. 2 songs are at least partly sung in Espanol. And you knew he was gonna hit ya with a couple of tongue-in-cheek songs. "Lie Detector," "Revolution Under Foot" & "Texas Rock-A-Billy Rebel" are keepers. "Mi Amor" and "Cinco De Mayo" are the two tracks delivered in Spanish. While "Jimbo Song" and "Baby I'm Drunk" are more than just fillers. They're a bit of a respite from The Reverend's super-fast psychobilly fret work & damn funny as well.
Long-time fans will want to have this in their collections, along w/ ALL of his other recordings. Newbies may be better off picking up one of his slightly better efforts. But no one who buys this is gonna have to head home feeling ripped off & pissed off. Jim Heath & Co. always make purchasing their albums worth the price of admission. - By Markus Pacal (Austin, TX)

trax:
01 Pride of San Jacinto 02 Lie Detector 03 Hello Mrs. Darkness 04 Jimbo Song 05 Revolution Under Foot 06 Starlight Lounge 07 Goin' Manic 08 Mi Amor 09 For Never More 10 The Prophet Song 11 Native Tongue of Love 12 Couch Surfin 13 Cinco de Mayo 14 Texas Rockabilly Rebel 15 Baby I'm Drunk 16 Space Heater

"SWING TIME SHOUTERS" Vol. 2

honking saxes, driving beats & rocking jump blues from The Swing Time label (late 40's to early 50's).trax:
1. Big Heart - Jimmy Witherspoon 2. Funny Style Baby - Jimmy Witherspoon 3. Can't Do That No More (Alt. Take To Be Linked) - Felix Gross 4. Going To Get Straight - Felix Gross 5. Flying Baby Blues - Felix Gross 6. Too Late Baby - Mickey Cooper 7. I Want A Little Girl (Alt. Take To Be Linked) - Earl Brown w/the Red Calendar Combo 8. Don't Make Me Late Baby (Unknown Take) - Felix Gross 9. Six Eight Boogie - Felix Gross 10. Worried About You Baby - Felix Gross 11. Rubber Leg Woman - Sylvester Mike 12. Million Things On My Mind - Sylvester Mike 13. Rockin' Man - Jimmy McCracklin 14. House Rockin' Blues - Jimmy McCracklin 15. So Help Me (Unknown Alternate Take) - Earl Jackson 16. Baby You'Re Still A Square - Percy Mayfield 17. Fat Man Blues - Clifford Blivens 18. Aching Heart Boogie - Clifford Blivens
...served by Gyro1966...

"JUBILEE JEZEBELS" Vol 2 - The Jubilee Blues & Rhythm Story

The second volume in this fine series brings together some of the fine female rhythm & blues and pop performers who recorded for Jerry Blaine's Jubilee, Josie or Port labels between 1952 and 1964. The bulk of the material comes from the early to mid-1950s, prime years for Blaine's labels with only five of the 25 tracks emanating from 1964. The transfers sound bright and sharp, even on the tunes that were dubbed from disc. Several of the performers reappear from the initial volume with Edna McGriff represented by three tracks, six tracks by Little Sylvia (who would later become Sylvia of Mickey & Sylvia, of "Love Is Strange" fame), and two tracks each from Gloria Mann, Gloria Alleyne, Patti Jerome, Faye Simmons, Carol Fran and Big Maybelle, plus single track entries from Fay Simmons ("I Can See Through You"), Ann Marie ("Runaround"), Viola Watkins ("Paint a Sky for Me," which features the Crows on backup vocals), the Enchanters ("Today Is Your Birthday"), and a 1957 cut by Della Reese, a bluesy reading of the old standard "I Cried for You." As the booklet states, this compilation makes a really great all-female R&B review. (Cub Koda, AMG)

trax:
1. Ooh Little Daddy - Edna McGriff 2. I'Ll Be Around - Edna McGriff 3. These Things Shall Be - Edna McGriff 4. I Found Somebody To Love - Little Sylvia 5. A Kiss For My Baby - Little Sylvia 6. I Miss You - Little Sylvia 7. The Ring - Little Sylvia 8. A Million Tears - Little Sylvia 9. Don'T Blame My Heart - Little Sylvia 10. Paint A Sky For Me - Viola Watkins 11. Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight - Gloria Mann 12. Love Me Boy - Gloria Mann 13. Today Is Your Birthday - The Enchanters 14. When I Say My Prayer - Gloria Alleyne 15. The Uncloudy Day - Gloria Alleyne 16. After The Lights Go Down Low - Patti Jerome 17. Johnny Has Gone - Patti Jerome 18. I Cried For You - Della Reese 19. Runaround - Ann-Marie 20. I Can See Through You - Fay Simmons 21. Hangin' Around - Fay Simmons 22. Crying In The Chapel - Carol Fran 23. I'm Gonna Try - Carol Fran 24. Let Me Go - Big Maybelle 25. No Better For You - Big Maybelle
...served by Gyro1966...

The Reverend Horton Heat "It's Martini Time" 1996

"Shake-you-in-your-shoes punkabilly that jumps off the disk!"The rockabilly reverend, who preaches the gospel of '50s rock and roll rebel arrogance, is at his self-aggrandizing best on "Big Red Rocket Of Love," which opens his fourth album by coupling his Mack Daddy proclamations with an ominous, chugging surf groove. "Spell On Me" is a hard-driving voodoo tale, and when Heat sings of his encounters with the supernatural, he sounds as natural as your neighbor recounting his Grand Canyon vacation trip. The turbocharged rhythm section of Jimbo Wallace and Scott Churilla is with the cracked clergyman every step of the way, providing an energetic, propulsive backbeat for Heat's fire-breathing vocals and radioactive guitarwork. Whether transmogrifying Black Sabbath riffs on the slow, moody "Or Is It Just Me" or delivering a monologue about the trials and tribulations of life on the road over a cool, jazzy backing on "That's Showbiz," Reverend Horton Heat delivers a punchy, distinctive wallop capable of making you believe that anytime is MARTINI TIME. - from: http://www.cduniverse.com/The Reverend Horton Heat:
Jim Heath (vocals, guitar); Jimbo Wallace (vocals, bass); Scott Churilla (vocals, drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Dan Phillips (steel guitar); Billy Pitman (guitar); Jim Lehnert (tenor & baritone saxophones); Gary Sweet (trumpet); Erik Swanson (trombone); Tim Alexander (piano, organ, accordion). Recorded at Crystal Clear Studios, Dallas, Texas and The Village Recorder, Los Angeles, California.

trax:
1. Big Red Rocket Of Love 2. Slow 3. It's Martini Time 4. Generation Why 5. Slingshot 6. Time To Pray 7. Crooked Cigarette 8. Rock The Joint 9. Cowboy Love 10. Now, Right Now 11. Spell On Me Listen 12. Or Is It Just Me 13. Forbidden Jungle 14. That's Showbiz

"SWING TIME SHOUTERS" Vol. 1

Blues shouting developed as part of the black big band sound before and during the Second World War. The pioneer of this style was Jimmy Rushing with The Count Basie Band, which gave birth to Big Joe Turner (who was born in Kansas City and was active there during the early heyday of The Basie Band.) Wynonie Harris, Jimmy Witherspoon, and many others who achieved recognition in this style during the late 40's.

trax:
1. Wine -O - Baby Boogie - Big Joe Turner 2. What's Your Style, Baby - Felix Gross 3. How Could You - Felix Gross 4. I'm A Lovin' Man - Earl Brown w/the Red Calendar Combo 5. Lovin' A Married Woman - Earl Brown w/the Red Calendar Combo 6. Freight Train Blues - Mickey Cooper 7. I Had A Dream Last Night - Mickey Cooper 8. Let's Get Together - Felix Gross 9. F. G. Boogie - Felix Gross 10. True Blues - Jimmy McCracklin 11. I'm Gonna Have My Fun - Jimmy McCracklin 12. wise women - Sylvester Mike 13. Going Out - Sylvester Mike 14. Fishhouse Boogie - Sylvester Mike 15. Hobo Boogie - Clifford Blivens 16. Chicken Leg Chick (Alt. Take To Be Linked) - Joe Swift 17. Miss Claudy B (Alt. Take To Be Linked) - Jimmy Witherspoon 18. Talking To Myself (Unknown Alternate Take) - Earl Jackson
...served by Gyro1966...

"JUBILEE JEZEBELS" Vol 1 - The Jubilee Blues & Rhythm Story

Jubilee Jezebels is the first in a two-part series devoted to the divas of Jubilee Records, a New York label that recorded primarily black artists for a mixed audience. The two dozen recordings on the first volume are split between five artists: Edna McGriff, Little Sylvia, Viola Watkins, Carol Fran, and the Enchanters, an all-female vocal group. Edna McGriff, whose "Heavenly Father" was a Top Five R&B hit in 1952, has never been anthologized, but an album's worth of her recordings can be found between the two volumes of Jubilee Jezebels and Sonny Til's Solo Featuring Edna McGriff, which has six of her duets with the Orioles' lead singer. Although her backing band is unmistakably R&B, McGriff's smooth vocal style seems a natural for the crossover pop success she never attained. Little Sylvia is actually a young Sylvia Vanderpool, who would go on to become half of the popular duo Mickey & Sylvia in the mid-'50s. Her sassy "Drive Daddy Drive" leads off the compilation, but she also covers Damita Jo's "I Went to Your Wedding," and declares that she'll never fall in love on the rocking "Ain't Gonna Do It." The midtempo bongo bopper "Really Real" was Viola Watkins' only commercial release on Jubilee; her two other sides here are previously unreleased ballads. The Enchanters, an early girl group, often arranged their songs so that Della Simpson sang lead while the others provided backup, but "How Could You" spotlights the groups' four-part harmonies. Carol Fran's recordings are the oddities of the bunch because they originally appeared on the Port label -- not Jubilee -- and were cut more than a decade later than all of the other material on the compilation. Although polished and expressive, her mid-'60s soul ballads don't really fit stylistically, despite the liner notes' protestations to the contrary. Jubilee Jezebels, Vol. 2 contains additional tracks by all five of the abovementioned acts, as well as a few others. (Greg Adams, AMG)

trax:
Little Sylvia
1. Drive Daddy Drive 2. I Went To Your Wedding 3. Ain'T Gonna Do It 4. Blue Heaven 5. Everything I Need But You
Edna McGriff
6. Heavenly Father 7. It'S Raining 8. I Love You 9. Edna'S Blues 10. Why Oh Why 11. I'Ll Surrender Anytime
Viola Watkind
12. There Goes My Heart 13. It Must Be Love 14. Really Real
The Enchanters
15. I'Ve Lost 16. Housewife Blues 17. How Could You 18. Boogie Woogie Daddy
Carole Fran
19. It'S My Turn Now 20. You Can'T Stop Me 21. I Know 22. Any Day Love Walks In 23. Just A Letter 24. A Word Without You
...served by Gyro1966...

The Reverend Horton Heat "Liquor in the Front" 1994

Industrial rockabilly anyone? From the galloping instrumental opener "Big Sky" to boozy, hard luck parables like "Baddest of the Bad" and "Liquor, Beer and Wine," this is greasy, blues-based roots music that rocks amazingly hard. Credit for the ear-clobbering sound goes to producer Al Jourgensen of Ministry fame. - Jeff BatemanDefinitely in my list of top 5 RHH records, this one is one fire! Quite possibly the hardest hitting openers are found on this one, they are also some of their personal favorites to play these days. Watching them play 'One time for me' to the wild, rowdy crowd at the Showbox this summer - I really came to understand what that one reviewer was saying when he compared the show to "putting on a stainless steel suit and running full bore into an electric fence". Buy this record now. Reviewer: B.M "cliff_anderson" (Seattle, WA)
this album jams hard, fast, and long. Incredible guitar work that rocks and swings at the same time. i love every song. Intense rockouts and some slower ballads give good balance and the humorous lyrics are entertaining. Big sky and Cruisin for a bruisin contain killer guitar playing, while In your wildest dreams chills out and is still a killer song. If you play guitar you'll definately pick up some experience points just by listening to the REV ROCKIN OUT!! Listening while cruisin down the road is a must so bring your leadfoot!!! Reviewer: A music fanReverend Horton Heat:
Jim Heath (vocals, guitar) / Jimbo Wallace (acoustic bass, background vocals) / Patrick "Taz" Bentley (drums, background vocals)

trax:
1. Big Sky 2. Baddest Of The Bad 3. One Time For Me 4. Five-O Ford 5. In Your Wildest Dreams 6. Yeah, Right 7. Cruisin' For A Bruisin' 8. I Could Get Used To It 9. Liquor, Beer & Wine 10. I Can't Surf 11. Jezebel 12. Rockin' Dog 13. The Entertainer

"THE BEST OF DREW-BLAN RECORDS" (legendary Labels Of New Orleans)

Two CD set featuring 50 tracks of New Orleans R&B and rock & roll recorded for Andrew Blanco's Drew-Blan labels between 1959 and 1963. Artists featured include Jay Nelson, Peter Buck & The Dondeleers, Jimmy Dale, Wayne & The Velvetones, The Vikings, Skinny Dynamo (a Fats Domino imitator - surprise, surprise!)Charles Leman, Gilbert Giroir, Earl King, Allen Orange and The Drew-Blan All Stars. 20 of the tracks are unissued studio recordings, demos or rehearsal tapes. Some good stuff here. (Down Home Music)

trax - cd 1:
1. Hey La Bah - Jay Nelson 2. Darling, Here Is My Heart - Peter Buck 3. Emma Lee - Jimmy Dale 4. Oh, Yes (I Know You Don't Love Me No More) - Peter Buck & The Dandaleers 5. My Babe - Wayne & The Velvetones 6. Shoestring - The Vikings 7. Don't You Remember Me - Jay Nelson 8. Let My Lover Go - Peter Buck 9. Give My Heart Back To Me - Skinny Dynamo 10. I Love You So Much - Peter Buck & The Dandaleers 11. Siboney - Wayne & The Velvetones 12. Believe In Me - Charles Leman 13. I Want You To Know - Peter Buck 14. Do We Have The Right - Jerry Raines 15. My Bonnie - Jay Nelson 16. If I Ask You - Peter Buck 17. Ham Sandwich Twist - Wayne & The Velvetones 18. Do You Take Me For A Fool - Gilbert Girior 19. The Clock - Peter Buck 20. Can't Take No More - Wayne & The Velvetones 21. Dearest Darling - Peter Buck 22. Loan Me A Handkerchief - Earl King 23. My Confession - Allen Orange 24. So Deep - Peter Buck 25. Love (All Because Of You) - Allen Orange
trax - cd 2:
1. Down The Road - Charles Leman 2. Baby Please - Jay Nelson 3. That's Enough - Peter Buck 4. Over The Waves - Wayne & The Velvetones 5. Congratulations To You, Darling - Gilbert Girior 6. Don't Lie To Me - Skinny Dynamo 7. World Of Misery - Peter Buck 8. Love Me Now - Wayne & The Velvetones 9. Crazy About Daisy - Jay Nelson 10. With Mustard Twist - Wayne & The Velvetones 11. My Pride and Joy - Jimmy Dale 12. Does She Love Me - Allen Orange 13. Things Won't Be The Same - Jay Nelson 14. Pledging My Love - Peter Buck 15. Bye Bye Baby - Charles Leman 16. Salute To Popeye - Wayne & The Velvetones 17. Don't Let Me Cross Over - Peter Buck 18. If You Had A Woman Like Mine - Drew-Blan All Stars 19. Tell Me (What Do You Think Of That) - Drew-Blan All Stars 20. Driving Wheel - Drew-Blan All Stars 21. I Can't Wait Any Longer - Earl King 22. Shiek Of Arabi - Peter Buck 23. Let My Lover Go - Earl King 24. All In My Mind - Peter Buck 25. Leave Me Alone - Allen Orange
...served by Gyro1966...

DAVE "BABY" CORTEZ "The Happy Organ"

Though hardly a soulful, bluesy master like Jimmy Smith or dashing experimentalist like Larry Young, organist Dave "Baby" Cortez made his mark in the '50s,'60s, and '70s as a capable, often clever soloist and pop instrumentalist. His flair for catchy melodies, riffs, and hooks resulted in a number one pop and number five R&B hit with "The Happy Organ" in 1959. Cortez had another double winner in 1962 with "Rinky Dink," this one peaking at number nine R&B and number ten pop. Before his instrumental success, Cortez recorded for Ember as David Clowney in 1956, and was in the Pearls from 1955 to 1957. He landed one other song on the R&B Top 50, "Someone Has Taken Your Place," in 1973 for All Platinum. His other songs were recorded for Clock and Chess. There has been no domestic reissue of Cortez's songs, but there are import anthologies available. (Ron Wynn, AMG)

trax:
01 The Happy Organ 02 Rinky Dink 03 Soft Lights 04 Movin' And Groovin 05 Do The Slop 06 The Whisting Rgan 07 You Gave Me Heeby Jeebies 08 I'm Happy 09 Hey Hey Hey Hey 10 Love Me As I Love You 11 Fiesta 12 Hoot Owl 13 Let Me Come Home 14 Hurricane 15 Tootsie 16 The Swinging Plano 17 Shakin' 18 Whispers 19 The Boogie Organ 20 Summertime 21 I'm All Right 22 It's A Sin To Tell A Llie 23 You're The Girl 24 Mardi Gras 25 Honey Baby 26 September Song 27 Cat Nip 28 Piano Shuffle 29 Red Sails In The Sunset 30 You're Just Right 31 Mosin' Along 32 Eeny Meeny Minie Moe 33 Dave's Special
...served by Gyro1966...

"TROUBLES, HEARTACHES & SADNESS" Hi Records Deep Soul Sisters 1966-1976

Whenever the classic sound of Memphis is discussed, the holy trinity of Stax, Goldwax and Hi dominate the proceedings. Although the Hi label was a relative latecomer in the soul stakes, it soon equalled, and often surpassed its rivals in both commercial and artistics terms. The company's roster was home to an array of talent, some already established, others fresh-faced and ready to roll, from whose ranks this collection of distaff delights has been assembled. Janet & the Jays' Memphis residence was brief, but the group's legacy, which includes Don Bryant's 'Without a Reason' and 'Love What You're Doing to Me', stands proudly among the finest Hi product of all time. Ann Peebles made her R&B chart debut in 1969 with her very first single, the start of a decade of chartbusters and, finally, the breakthrough into the soul market that had since eluded Hi. Four of Peebles' classic cuts are featured here, including 'Give Me Some Credit', 'Troubles, Heartaches & Sadness' and 'Run Run Run'. Memphis' best secret, Toni Green, was the lead vocalist of Imported Moods, a harmony outfit whose 'What Have You Done to My Heart' was released on the label in 1970. Five years before ex-fashion model Veniece joined Hi, released two singles pdq and promptly disappeared from the recording scene for six years. She returned from that hiatus with the driving downhome saga 'Stepchild', prompting a trip to Europe supporting Wilson Pickett. A revival of Otis Clay's 'Trying to Live My Life Without You' in 1975 proved to be her farewell disc. Signed to Hi Records, Quiet Elegance were produced by Willie Mitchell and Dan Greer, who acting independently, whip up a batch of hot, tough Southern sounds as magnificent as their debut single, 'I'm Afraid of Losing You'. Blue-eyed soul trio Joint Venture worked for several years as in-house back-up singers for Al Green before releasing one of the greatest 45s to find on the label, 'What Have You Done to My Heart', in 1970. One of their members, Donna Rhodes, recorded solo 'Where's Your Love Been' three years later. Erma Coffee's 1973 Hi single coupled her version of 'Any Way the Wind Blows' and 'You Made Me What I Am', both included here. She later recorded as Irma Coffee for Tamtown. Chicagoan soul diva Jean Plum arrived at Hi Records in 1975, where she debuted with the remarkable “soft-deep” double-header 'Look at the Boy' and 'Back to You'. Talking to the British publication Blues & Soul the following year, the singer expressed her excitement at the completion of sessions for her first album. The inclusion of treasures like 'Loneliness' and her supremely soulful interpretations of Aretha Franklin’s 'Today I Sing the Blues' would surely have ensured a top quality se but, sadly, the LP was never released. The 1976 single 'I Love Him' was Plum’s only other release until her final platter two years later. Meanwhile Hi girl group Known Facts delivered their impressive two-sider 'He's Got It' and 'How Can I Believe You', in 1975; same year that the Duncan Sisters issued 'It's You That I Need', their only outing on Hi. The fact that Ann Peebles alone amongst this talented asemblage hit the big time, detracts not one jot from the greats sounds laid down by her equally deserving labelmates, whom posterity has, at last, granted a wider and more appreciative audience than they attracted back in the day. Partially Taken from the original liner notes.

trax:
1. Without A Reason - Janet & The Jays 2. Hurting Over You Boy - Janet & The Jays 3. Love What You're Doing To Me - Janet & The Jays 4. Pleading For Your Love - Janet & The Jays 5. Give Me Some Credit - Ann Peebles 6. What Have You Done With My Heart - Imported Moods 7. Stepchild - Veniece 8. Trouble, Heartaches & Sadness - Ann Peebles 9. I've Been There Before - Ann Peebles 10. I'm Afraid Of Losing You - Quiet Elegance 11. Do You Love Me - Quiet Elegance 12. When The Battle Is Over - Joint Venture 13. You've Got My Mind Messed Up - Quiet Elegance 14. Any Way The Wind Blows - Erma Coffee 15. You Made Me What I Am - Erma Coffee 16. Where's Your Love Been - Donna Rhodes 17. Run, Run, Run - Ann Peebles 18. He's Got It - Known Facts 19. How Can I Believe You - Known Facts 20. Trying To Live My Life Without You - Veniece 21. Back To You - Jean Plum 22. Today I Sing The Blues - Jean Plum 23. Loneliness - Jean Plum 24. It's You That I Need (Part 1) - The Duncan Sisters 25. I Love Him - Jean Plum 26. It Was Jealousy - Ann Peebles
...served by Gyro1966...

"JUMPING AT JUBILEE"

Founded in 1946 by Jerry Blaine and Herb Abramson (Blaine eventually bought out Abramson's half of the company), Jubilee Records had its greatest commercial success with doo wop groups (most notably Sonny Til & the Orioles, whose "Crying in the Chapel" was a huge hit in 1953), but the label also released a fair amount of early R&B, jump blues, and jazz and blues-inflected instrumentals before finally closing its doors in 1970. This 22-track set collects some of the more upbeat jump blues sides issued by Jubilee, including Freddie Kohlman's fun and easy rocking "Hole in the Ground," Cousin Joe's jazz-meets-jump rendition of "Ramblin' Woman," Piney Brown's unhinged and manic "You Bring out the Wolf in Me," and several straight guitar blues tracks from Ralph Willis, most notably a recasting of the Delta classic "I Got a Letter" and the goofy "Bed Tick." (Steve Leggett, AMG)

trax:
1. Hole In The Ground - Freddie Kohlman Orchestra 2. You'Ll Never Get Nothin Without Trying - Cousin Joe 3. Ramblin' Woman - Cousin Joe 4. Can'T Help Myself - Jesse Powell 5. I'm All Alone - Jesse Powell 6. Don'T Pass Me By - Piney Brown 7. Battle With The Bottle - Piney Brown 8. 3d Loving - Piney Brown 9. You Bring Out The Wolf In Me - Piney Brown 10. Ay Lah Bah - Danny Cobb 11. Everyday I Weep And Moan - Ralph Willis 12. Somebody'S Got To Go - Ralph Willis 13. Blues Blues Blues - Ralph Willis 14. I Got A Letter - Ralph Willis 15. Too Late To Scream And Shout - Ralph Willis 16. Hoodoo Man - Ralph Willis 17. Income Tax Blues - Ralph Willis 18. Bed Tick - Ralph Willis 19. Yes He Did - Laverne Ray 20. Rock On The Bop - Laverne Ray 21. Drunk That'S All - Laverne Ray 22. Rock And Roll - Laverne Ray
...served by Gyro1966...

"THE GONE STORY" Classic R&B, Rock 'n' Roll, Doo-Wop and Pop From A Legendary New York Label 1957-1964

A two-disc set presenting a pretty darn comprehensive sampling of George Goldner's Gone label from New York City. The set samples 65 tracks from 51 different artists covering the label's output from 1957 to 1964. Highlights on disc one include "Could This Be Magic" by the Dubs, "7-11" by the Gone All-Stars, and early rockers from Jo-Ann Campbell and Johnny Rivers. The second disc features rockers like Mack Vickery's "Goin' Back to St. Louis," Wild Bill and the Blue Denims' "Mona My Love," Ral Donner's biggies "The Girl of My Best Friend" and "You Don't Know What You've Got Til You Lose It," and rarities like the Four Seasons' "Spanish lace" and Bill Haley's "The Spanish Twist." As part of Westside's four-part label retrospective on George Goldner, this one's indispensable, too. Extremely well done. (Kub Coda, AMG)trax - cd 1:
1. Don't Ask Me (To Be Lonely) - The Dubs 2. Speak For Yourself - The Tunedrops 3. Ding Dong Darling - Carter Rays 4. My Secret Love - Carter Rays 5. Love Is Dynamite - Gary Dale 6. I'll Be True - Jackie Dee 7. It Is A Dream - The Premiers 8. Lamplight - The Deltas 9. Could This Be Magic? - The Dubs 10. That's My Desire - The Channels 11. Love Is Something From Within - The Kings 12. Wait A Minute - Jo Ann Campbell 13. Let's Fall In Love - The Willows 14. 7-11 - The Gone All Stars 15. Tomorrow Night - Cab Calloway 16. Altar Of Love - The Channels 17. Everybody's Gonna Rock 'n' Roll - The Isley Brothers 18. Who Do You Love? - Johnnie & Joe 19. Boppin' Hop (Hoppin' Bop) - Buddy Lucas Orchestra (Gone All Star) 20. Baby Come Back - Johnny Rivers 21. Wassa Matter With You? - Jo Ann Campbell 22. Special Delivery - The Markeys 23. What's The Matter Baby? - Fay Simmons 24. Cha-Hua-Hua - Eddie Platt & His Orchestra 25. The Thing - Bill Buchanan 26. Song In My Heart - The Dubs 27. Maybe You'll Be Mine - Connie Lee 28. Gates Of Heaven - Ronnie Baxter 29. School Belts - Nicky & The Nobles 30. I Really Really Love You - Jo Ann Campbell 31. King Of Fools - Sam Hawkins
trax - cd 2:
1. Come Softly To Me - Richard Barrett & Chantels 2. Is It Because (take9 - master) - Ronnie Baxter 3. Why I Love You - Carl Hammel 4. Long Black Automobile - Don Elliott 5. Summer's Love - Richard Barrett & Chantels 6. Let The Rumours Fly - Gerry Granahan 7. How Much I Love You (take2 - master) - Joe Antel 8. With Each Step A Tear - The Trickles 9. Outside The Chapel Door - The Trickles 10. Ooh What A Girl - Ronnie Savoy 11. Mona My Love (a.k.a. Juanita) (take3) - Wild Bill & The Blue Denims 12. Goin' Back To St. Louis (take 1) - Mack Vickery 13. Angel Face - The Neons 14. Can I Come Over Tonight? - The Velours 15. My Foolish Heart - The Excels 16. Angel In Disguise - The Inspirations 17. Salty - Tony Castle & The Raiders 18. My Heart's Desire - The Crescendos 19. The Girl Of My Best Friend - Ral Donner 20. Pretty Little Girl - The Shells 21. You Don't Know What You've Got - Ral Donner 22. That's How I Feel About You (take7 - master) - Andrew Taylor 23. The Spanish Twist (take4) - Bill Haley & The Comets 24. I Don't Like It Like That - Part 1 - The Bobbettes 25. If You Want To - The Carousels 26. Spanish Lace (take1) (previously unreleased alternate take) - The Four Seasons 27. (I Love You) Sherry - The Enchantments 28. Touch Me - Johnnie & Jack 29. Glass Of Tears - Sherrel Townsend 30. You're Free To Go - The Dubs 31. Little Eva - The Locomotions 32. Bevy's Got A Boyfriend - Beverly Marcell 33. Going To The City - Johnny Adams
...served by Gyro1966...

The Balboas "Heavy Surf Advisory" 2000

True to the original form, but with more teeth and more growl.Goodness, an edgie eighties guitar sound in a nineties surf stylee, with melodically structured songs. Akron, Ohio is home - big surf in Akron. Landlocked wavery with more mainstream sounds, well written tunes, and consistent quality. Thunder and brine, more than rock, less than double overhead. There are also a couple of beach-punk-pop vocal here, one called "Green Death," and the other called "Christian Cowgirl," plus "Mister Sin II." All three sport quite a twang, and that Impact V tribal tom tom beat from "Jet Stream." - Phil Dirt

trax:
01 Mister Sin I 02 Mt. Olive 03 Temperance 04 Son Of Dale 05 Rumble 06 Grandma Sandbox 07 Wipe Out 08 Green Death 09 Peter Gunn 10 Tonic 11 Christian Cowgirl 12 Fish Head 13 Surf Beat 14 Mister Sin II

"SHOUTIN' SWINGIN' AND MAKIN' LOVE"

Chess Records has never been known for producing much in the way of big-band shouters or jump blues practitioners, but this compilation shows that the label at least dabbled in it from time to time. The Wynonie Harris date with Buddy Guy on guitar stems from 1964 and appears to be his final session. The Jimmy Rushing sides come from a 1953 date for Parrot Records, which Chess later took over. The Jimmy Witherspoon sides find him exploring the Willie Dixon catalog on "I Can Make It With You" and "Everything but You" while the Al Hibbler sides are master purchases from the Sunrise label, originally cut between 1947 and 1949. The remaining two sides feature an unknown vocalist (possibly Chick Young) with Tab Smith and his Orchestra, originally cut in 1951 for the Premium label, yet another master acquisition. (Cub Koda, AMG)

trax:
1. Jimmy's Blues - Tab Smith 2. Lonesome Daddy Blues - Jimmy Rushing 3. Clothespin Blues - Jimmy Rushing 4. Wigglin' Blues - Jimmy Rushing 5. Going Down Slow - Jimmy Witherspoon 6. I Can Make It with You - Jimmy Witherspoon 7. Everything But You - Jimmy Witherspoon 8. The Comeback - Wynonie Harris 9. Buzzard Luck - Wynonie Harris 10. Conjured - Wynonie Harris 11. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Al Hibbler 12. My Little Brown Book - Al Hibbler 13. Fat and Forty - Al Hibbler 14. Jimmy's Blues [alternate take] - Tab Smith
...served by Gyro1966...

"NEW ORLEANS SENIOR PROM"

You can imagine the scene: A couple of record collectors are browsing the racks when one stumbles on a copy of New Orleans Senior Prom and says to the other "Wow, if they'd played music like this at my high-school prom, maybe I would have gone!" But let's face it: These are record collectors -- there's not a chance in Hell they're going to prom, even if the Beatles are the musical entertainment. The irony, of course, is that New Orleans Senior Prom is filled with vintage Crescent City R&B so obscure that only record collectors are going to seek it out in the first place: This is raw, wild stuff, perfectly emblematic of the New Orleans sound during its late 1950s and early 1960s heyday. Like much of Night Train's output, the fidelity isn't great, with some cuts sounding like they were mastered directly from vinyl, but the scarcity of material and its overall quality makes it worth picking up nevertheless. Highlights include the Scotchtones' "Sake Wa Dookie," Chuck Como's "Bells in My Heart" and Allen Colay's "Last Dance." by Jason Ankeny, AMG

trax:
1. Being Your Acting So Smart - Julian w/Tasso & His Orchestra 2. Get On The Moon - Julian w/Tasso & His Orchestra 3. Red Beans And Rice - Scat Man Patin & The Ram Rods 4. Ginning - Scat Man Patin & The Ram Rods 5. Sake Wa Dookie - The Scotchtones 6. Do You Have Thr Right - The Scotchtones 7. Last Chance - Allen Collay & The Satellites 8. Come On And Love Me - The Chevies w/Wayne Johnson 9. I Love That Girl So - The Chevies w/Wayne Johnson 10. Clarabel - Vince Anthony And The Bluetones 11. Defeated - Joe Carl & The Dukes Of Rhythm 12. Don't Leave Me Alone - Joe Carl & The Dukes Of Rhythm 13. Bells In My Heart - Chuck Como 14. Teardrops On My Pillow - Chuck Como 15. Haunted Blues - Fats Fitzgerald & The Playboys 16. Cornbread Blues - Fats Fitzgerald & The Playboys 17. I'm Not A Know It All - Chuck Como 18. I Followed A Dream - Chuck Como 19. Youngster Meets Monster - Danny Zellas Rockers 20. Little Girl Next Door - Allen Collay & The Satellites 21. I Got You - Milson Luce 22. Zebra - Danny Zella 23. Don't Break Your Promises To Me - Milson Luce
...served by Gyro1966...

"TEEN SCENE!"

Rock & Roll Stars and Vocal Groups from Long Island's Golden Crest and Shelley RecordsGreat collection of hard to find late 50's to early 60's rock 'n' roll from the Golden Crest/Shelley label from Long Island, New York.

trax:
1. The Top 40 - Tommy Beiner With Wendy & School Girls 2. Alice My Love - The Dovers 3. Ragdoll Baby - Paul Griffin 4. Sand Dance - Lee Parker 5. The Letter - The Mellodeers 6. A Lonely Heart - The Dovers 7. Donna - Ralph De Marco & Group 8. Born To Be Mine - The Mellodeers 9. I'm A Boy In Love - Gino 10. Love Is Love (All Around The World) - Andy & Gino 11. Sugar Baby - Dany Winchell 12. Suzanne - Ricky & Robby 13. Lullabye - Augie Rios 14. Just For Fun - Rose, Andy And The Thorns 15. My Prince Will Come - The Montells 16. Two Pairs Of Shoes - Angela Martin 17. Just Married - Jan Tober 18. Hey Scooter - Rose, Andy And The Thorns 19. There's A Girl Down The Way - Rios, Augie & The Notations 20. Prayer Of Love - The Chessmen 21. Don't Make Small Talk Baby - Dany Winchell 22. The Riddle - Ricky Shaw 23. Steady Guy - The Seventeens 24. Augie Stay Home - Augie Rios 25. Bobbie - Curtis Jensen 26. I'm Here To Tell You (What Ronnie Couldn't Say) - Charles Dell 27. Any Friend Of Henry's - Roni Powers 28. I Got A Girl - Ricky Shaw 29. Baby Don't Go Now - Gino & The Dells 30. You Left Me Standing There - Donny Lee Moore 31. No One - Augie Rios 32. Let's Tell Him Now - Charles Dell 33. Bang Bang - Big Bob Dougherty 34. Pink Pedal Pushers - Ricky & Robby
...served by Gyro1966...

"ROCK 'N' ROLL HOP"

Teenage Style A hard to find collection of late 50's to early 60's rock 'n' roll. Many songs have never been comped before.trax:
1. Memories Of Love - The Rocking Chairs 2. Think It Over - Col Joye 3. Too Young To Bop - Don, Dick & Jimm 4. Johnny Be Goode Is In Hollywood - Eddy Bell 5. I Say Babe - The Four Dates 6. Ring A Rockin' - Neil Sedaka 7. Pretty Little Pearly - Vincent Craddock 8. Gold Diggin' Doll - Johnny Devlin 9. Tennessee Waltz - Bobby Comstock 10. The Shape I'm In - Johnny Restivo 11. Real Gone Baby - Alvis Edwards 12. Got A Whole Lot Of Loving To Do - Barry Martin 13. Whatcha Gonna Do - Earl Henry 14. Jealous Fool - Bobby Comstock 15. Dreamin' 'bout My Baby - The Saphires 16. I Want You - Glaser Brothers 17. I Want Some Lovin' - Johnny Tino 18. Back To School Blues - Sammy Jackson 19. Teen Baby - Gary Trexler 20. Love - Johnny Restivo 21. Here Comes That Girl Again - Tony Ray 22. Race For Time - Jerry Arnold 23. A Million Drums - Jimmy Clanton 24. Don't Sweetheart Me - Frank Amato 25. The Fool - Jamie Coe 26. All Star Boy - Boyd Bennett 27. Tears - Johnny Jay 28. You Belong To My Heart - The Emeralds
...served by Gyro1966...

"THE BEST OF HERMITAGE RECORDS"

Legendary Labels Of Louisiana Great Funky Low Down Sounds.trax:
1. I'm Still In Love With You - Alonzo Stewart 2. I Get The Blues When It Rains - Alonzo Stewart 3. Runnin' And Foolin' - Joe & Ann 4. Eternity - Joe & Ann 5. I Can't Help It - Joe & Ann 6. Doubtful - Joe & Ann 7. Southern Style - Eskew Reeder 8. Love Is A Many Splendered Thing - Eskew Reeder 9. I Trusted In You - Willie B 10. Why Does A Woman Treat A Man So Bad - Sam Baker 11. Little Mama - Sam Baker 12. Rainin' And Stormin' - Sam Baker 13. Keep On Scratchin' - Sam Baker 14. A Little Piece At A Time - Good Jelly Bess 15. Come And Get It - Good Jelly Bess 16. Three Quarter Stomp Pt. 1 - Preston Jackson 17. Three Quarter Stomp Pt. 2 - Preston Jackson 18. Let The World End Tomorrow - Henry Moore 19. Sweet Little Angel - Sam Baker 20. Tossin' And Turnin' - Sam Baker
...served by Gyro1966...

"HARLEM ROCK 'N' BLUES" Vol. 3

This continues the theme. Material that either influenced or reflected evolutionary trends in blues and R&B. by Ron Wynn, AMG

trax:
1. Second Floor Rear - Tiny Grimes 2. Hello "Gater" Speaking - Willis Jackson 3. Going Back To My Home Town - Hal Paige & The Wailers 4. Jookin' - Noble Watts 5. Lonesome Melody - Jimmy Spruill 6. The Hammer - Red Prysock 7. Work To Be Done - Paul Perriman 8. Highway Blues - Champion Jack Dupree 9. Gravy Train - Riff Ruffin 10. Don't Dog Your Woman - Brownie McGhee 11. Walkin' - Charles Lucas Combo 12. Stumblin' Block Blues - Champion Jack Dupree 13. Jackpot - Red Prysock 14. The Clock - Buddy Skipper 15. Raisin' Hell - Jimmy Spruill 16. Please Don't Go - Johnny Acey 17. Makin' It - Willis Jackson 18. Cross Your Fingers - King Curtis
...served by Gyro1966...

"HARLEM ROCK 'N' BLUES" Vol. 2

This second volume of original rhythm & blues tunes dovetails nicely with the first collection, and features many of the same artists. When combined, the two CDs give you a broad sampling of the lesser-known players of the era, anchored by all-time greats. The bar-walking saxophonist Red Prysock returns for two numbers, and the collection also includes "Harmonica Twist" from likeminded saxophonist King Curtis, "Harmonica Hop" from harpist Sonny Terry and partner Brownie McGhee's "Daisy," two from pianist/vocalist Champion Jack Dupree, one from the legendary Noble Watts, and one each from the memorable Dr. Horse and Riff Ruffin. The roots of rock can be fun to explore beyond the hits, and this collection, like the first, delivers fairly well as a good nostalgic party CD.by Michael G. Nastos, AMG

trax:
1. Harmonica Twist - King Curtis 2. Daisy - Brownie McGhee 3. Cut & Dried - Jimmy Spruill 4. Drunk Again - Champion Jack Dupree 5. Baby Please Come Home - Johnny Cleff 6. Hard Rock - Red Prysock 7. I Don'T Mind - Riff Ruffin 8. I Don't Need Nothin' Else - Paul Perriman 9. Possum Belly Overalls - Noble Watts & Bateman*June 10. Candied Yams - B. Brown 11. Baby Please Come Back - Johnny Acey 12. After Hours Blues - Hal Paige & His Wailers 13. All My Life - Riff Ruffin 14. Kansas City March - Jimmy Spruill 15. South Poke West Virginia - Dr. Horse 16. Harmonica Hop - Sonny Terry 17. Shim Sham Shimmy - Champion Jack Dupree 18. Jump For George - Red Prysock
...served by Gyro1966...

...just discovered...

"HARLEM ROCK 'N' BLUES" Vol. 1

In the late '40s and early '50s, Harlem was quite the scene, as saxophone bar-walkers ruled the roost. They paved the way for the rock & roll that followed, from Elvis Presley onward. This collection not only feeds on Apollo Theater and local nightclub stars, but players from other regions of the U.S. Red Prysock was perhaps the biggest of these stars, and he's represented by two tracks, followed closely by King Curtis -- dig the King's "Mr. Crow." You also get the very comparable honker Willis "Gator" Jackson, legit bluesmen Sonny Terry and Champion Jack Dupree, the lesser-known but legendary Tarheel Slim and Noble Watts, and all-time great jazz guitarist Tiny Grimes doing "Juicy Fruit." Though not a collection of hits, this recording gives you a good taste of the way it was. by Michael G. Nastos, AMG

trax:
1. Number Nine Blues - Champion Jack Dupree 2. Wiggles - Red Prysock 3. That Night - Riff Ruffin 4. Hard Grind - Jimmy Spruill 5. Fannie Mae Is Back - B. Brown 6. Pour The Corn - Hal Paige & Wailers-Feat. Bobby Robinson 7. Doggin' My Heart Around - Sonny Terry 8. Juicy Fruit - Tiny Grimes 9. Keep A Callin' - Paul Perriman 10. Mr. Crow - King Curtis 11. Lookout - Rockin' Bradley 12. Go Away Mr. Blues - Noble Watts & Bateman*June 13. Why - Johnny Acey 14. Shake Baby Shake - Champion Jack Dupree 15. Good To The Bone - Willis Jackson 16. Crying My Heart Out - Red Prysock 17. Wildcat Tamer - Tarheel Slim 18. Scratchin' - Jimmy Spruill
...served by Gyro1966...

"WARDELL QUEZERQUE'S FUNKY FUNKY NEW ORLEANS"

A lifelong fixture and staple in the evolution of New Orleans funk and soul, Wardell Quezerque is largely known for his production work for Jean Knight's "Mr. Big Stuff" and King Floyd's "Groove Me." He is regarded by many historians as the "Creole Beethoven," so the fact that it took this long to release an anthology of his greatest productions is a bit puzzling. This edition of the excellent Funky Funky New Orleans series compiles 21 of Quezerque's finest underrated treasures. Productions for Quezerque's son's band, the Unemployed, set the tone immediately, and Chuck Simmons, Johnny Adams, and Tami Lynn also deliver outstanding, fiery performances. A solid compilation for a man whose recognition is far overdue. by Rob Theakston, AMG

trax:
1. Funky Thing (Parts 1, 2) - The Unemployed 2. They Won't Let Me - The Unemployed 3. Funky Rooster - The Unemployed 4. Love School - Denise Keeble 5. Everybody Just Don't Know What Love Is - C.L. Blast 6. Chain On My Thing - Denise Keeble 7. When I Wanna See You - Klicky Robinson 8. Lay It On Me (Part 1) - Chuck Simmons 9. Lay It On Me (Part 2) - Chuck Simmons 10. Love Is Good - C.L. Blast 11. Sho Nuff The Real Thing - Curtis Johnson 12. Other Side Of Your Mind - Joe Wilson 13. Got To Find Someone - C.L. Blast 14. More Than One Way - Johnny Adams 15. Two Times One Is Two - C.L. Blast 16. Where You Gonna Find A Love Like Mine - Denny Fox 17. Before It Falls Apart - Denise Keeble 18. Everybody Needs Somebody - Chuck Simmons 19. Giving Up - Denise Keeble 20. She's Taken My Part - Irma Thomas 21. Never No More - Tami Lynn
...served by Gyro1966...

"THE RAMA STORY" Classic R&B, Rock 'n' Roll, Doo-Wop, Rockabilly and Pop From A Legendary New York Label (1953-1956)

This 2 disc set brings together 61 tracks from this early George Goldner run label. Although Rama only had a three year run as a label, they made significant inroads, especially as a doo-wop specialist with seminal tracks from the Crows ("Gee"), the Wrens ("Come Back My Love"), theValentines ("Lily Maybelle") and the Heartbeats ("A Thousand Miles Away"). But there's also some errant pop sides and some fine rockabilly aboard as well from Don "Red" Roberts, Little Billy Mason (a white Frankie Lymon sound-alike with guitar band backing), and Roc LaRue. A delightful two disc set that shows off the many sides of this interesting label. (Cub Koda, AMG)trax - cd 1:
1. Gee The Crows 2. I Was Such A Fool (To Fall In Love With You) - The Five Budds 3. I Want Her Back - The Five Budds 4. No Help Wanted - The Crows 5. Seven Lonely Days - Viola Watkins & The Crows 6. Be With The One You Love - Bert Keyes & His Trio 7. Real Fine Man - Viola Watkins 8. I Was Such A Fool (To Fall In Love With You) - Bert Keyes 9. Will You Remember (The Answer To Tomorrow Night) - Lonnie Johnson 10. The Stars Will Remember - The Buccaneers 11. In The Mission Of St. Augustine - The Buccaneers 12. Too Hot To Handle - The Blue Notes 13. If My Heart Could Only Talk - The Blue Notes 14. Untrue - The Crows 15. Write Me Baby - Bert Keyes 16. Gumbo Mambo - Larke Sisters 17. Come Back My Love - The Wrens 18. Can I Tell Her Now? - The Bells 19. The Wedding - The Bell Tones 20. Lily Maebelle - The Valentines 21. Betty Jean - The Wrens 22. Readin', Ritin', Rithmetic, Rock 'n' Roll - The Five Encores 23. One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer - The Five Encores 24. You'Re An Angel - The Continentals 25. All My Love Belongs To You - The Joytones 26. Teenage Heart - Rita Delmar 27. C'Est La Vie - The Wrens 28. The Woo Woo Train - The Valentines 29. 2.20 A.M. - Jimmy Wright
trax - cd 2:
1. Move Over - Jimmy Wright 2. Runaround - Valli Hinton 3. I'Ve Got To Have You Baby - The Pretenders 4. Roll Over Betthoven - The Four Chaps 5. Alabama Rock 'n' Roll - Mabel King 6. Gee What A Boy! - The Joytones 7. Three Wishes - The Harptones 8. Symbol Of Love - Mabel King 9. Stop Knocking Rock 'n' Roll - Bob Cornegie 10. Nature'S Creation - The Valentines 11. They Say - The Rainbows 12. Lover - The Pretenders 13. I Love My Baby - Little Billy Mason 14. Hole In The Bucket (My Bucket's Got A Hole In It) - Bob Davis & the Rhythm Jesters 15. On Sunday Afternoon - The Harptones 16. My Foolish Heart - The Joytones 17. A Thousand Miles Away - The Heartbeats 18. The Memory That Followed - Alan Dean 19. Just As I Am - Patti Jerome 20. Oo Wee Baby - The Harptones 21. Wedding Bells - The Heartbeats 22. Thinking Of You - Little Billy Mason 23. Baby Take Me Back - Roc LaRue & The Three Pals 24. Don't Say Goodnight - The Valentines 25. My Steady Girl - Chuck Darty 26. Reluctantly - Chuck Darty 27. Only One - Don "Red" Roberts 28. Everybody'S Somebody'S Fool - The Heartbeats 29. One Foolish Mistake - Dorrell Sisters 30. Leave My Woman Alone - The Cleftones 31. Vacation In The Mountains - The Cleftones
...served by Gyro1966...

THE IN CROWD" Vol 2 - Empire Made UK Mod, Club Soul and R&B

Volume 2 of the successful compilation is the tie in companion CD to the book by renowned Mod expert Terry Rawlings called Empire Made - The Handy Parka Pocket Guide to All Things Mod. 22 tracks from 1964-1968 featuring Dyke & The Blazers, Tony Galla, Chris Farlow, Nella Dodds, Billy Preston, Isley Brothers, The Mods, Dean Parrish & more. (Amazon)trax:
1. Buzz With The Fuzz - Chris Farlowe 2. Little Boy Blue - Duffy Power 3. Billy's Bag - Billy Preston 4. The Wobble - Dyke & The Blazers 5. Twine Time - Alvin Cash & The Crawlers 6. The Diamond Ring - Sammy Ambrose 7. In Love - Tony Galla 8. Hand It Over - Chuck Jackson 9. Satisfaction Guaranteed - The Love Affair 10. Emergency 999 - The Alan Bown Set 11. Our Love Is In The Pocket - Darrell Banks 12. The Snake - The Isley Brothers 13. I'll Never Forget You - The O'Jays 14. In The City - Charles Dickens 15. It Could Be Wonderful - The Smoke 16. Senõr Thump - The Mohawks 17. Come See Me - The Pretty Things 18. Dimples - The Spencer Davis Group 19. No-One Pleases Me But You - John Lee Hooker 20. Tell Me Where I Stand - Johnny Sayles 21. Finders Keepers (Losers Weepers) - Nella Dodds 22. Let's Go Get Stoned - Chuck Jackson & Maxine Brown
...served by Gyro1966...

"MOTOR CITY DETROIT DOO-WOPS" Vol. 2 (Fortune Records)

More great Fortune Records R&B!trax:
The Enchanters: 1. There Goes (A Pretty Girl) 2. Whoa Mabel 3. Know It All 4. Wait A Minute Baby-2 5. The Day 6. Fan Me Baby 7. True Love Gone 8. Lovin' And Jivin' 9. Spellbound By The Moon 10. Mambo Sante Mambo 11. Wait A Minute Baby- 3 12. Bottle Up And Go
The Fascinators: 13. My Beauty, My Own 14. Don't Give It Away 15. Sweet Baby 16. The Bells Of My Heart
The Larados: 17. Bad Bad Guitar Man 18. Now The Parting Begins 19. Saphire 20. You Made Me Blue 21. Will You Love Me Tomorrow 22. You Didn't Care 23. Afterthoughts 24. Big Boss Man
...served by Gyro1966...

"THE IN CROWD" Vol 1 - UK Mod R&B/Beat 1964-1967

In a sea of compilations out there, this one is an absolute standout. Apparently so named because it features the obscure UK band "The In Crowd," whose short recorded output included a 45 or two on the seminal Deram label, this CD includes numerous cornerstone recordings of the era. First, consider the band Steampacket who appear near the end. The first real UK supergroup (or maybe the second if you consider the Graham Bond Organization), its members included Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll, Rod Stewart and John Baldry doing some marvellous blue-eyed soul. Search out their sole release as an adjunct to what you find here. We also have early solo recordings by three members of the band, the best of which is Rod's version of Sam Cooke's "Shake." You can tell by the elaborate production they knew the man would go far. Other highlights include In-Crowd's likewise inspired blue-eyed soul rendering of "That's How Strong.." and "Stroll On" (aka "Train Kept a Rollin'") by the Yardbirds and, oh yes, Chris Farlowe's "Hey Hey Hey Hey," a great vocal-piano-drum tune. And, possibly the most talented unknown group of the day (if Timebox isn't) we have Gary Farr and his group doing a fine drum/cymbal driven instrumental (well, actually instruments and wordless vocals) called "Get the Money." Take a little money and "Get the CD"!! (Amazon)trax:
1. Blow Up - The In Crowd 2. Stroll On - The Yardbirds 3. Shake - Rod Stewart 4. That's How Strong My Love Is - The In Crowd 5. Hey Hey Hey Hey - Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds 6. Keep On Running (Live Session) - The Spencer Davis Group 7. Finger Poppin' - The In Crowd 8. Don't Lie To Me - The Four + 1 9. I Take What I Want - The Artwoods 10. Get The Money - Gary Farr & The T Bones 11. I'll Keep On Holding On - The Action 12. My Baby Is Gone - The Untamed 13. Take My Tip - The Manish Boys 14. A Man With Money - A Wild Uncertainty 15. It's Alright - The Rocking Vickers 16. I'm Rowed Out - The Eyes 17. Mud In Your Eye - Les Fleur De Lys 18. The Love I Thought I'd Found - John's Children 19. You're On Your Own - The In Crowd 20. Can I Get A Witness - Steampacket 21. Time Is On My Side - The Four + 1 22. It's For You - Rupert & The Red Devils 23. Tiger - Brian Auger & The Trinity 24. Don't Do It No More - Julie Driscoll 25. Big Boss Man (Live) - Graham Bond Organisation 26. Slow Down (Live Session) - Episode Six
...served by Gyro1966...

Roky Erickson & The Aliens "I Think of Demons" 1980

There are many ROKY ERICKSON albums but The Evil One, originally released by CBS Records in Europe in 1980, was the first of them and, many would say, the best... on Halloween!Roky Erickson was very much a changed man when he re-emerged on the music scene in the late '70s after a deeply troubling stay in a mental institution following an arrest for drugs in 1969. The graceful but energetic proto-psychedelia of Erickson's music with the 13th Floor Elevators was replaced by a hot-wired straight-ahead rock sound which suggested an updated version of the teenaged garage pounders Roky recorded with his early group the Spades, and the charming psychobabble of Tommy Hall's lyrics with the Elevators gave way to twisted narratives documenting Roky's obsessive enthusiasm for cheezoid horror movies of the 1950s. It wasn't until 1980 that Erickson released his first solo album, and that disc has had a rather eventful history. Stu Cook (ex-Creedence Clearwater Revival) produced the sessions over a period of two years, and the album appeared in Europe as Roky Erickson the Aliens (released by CBS in England, making it Roky's only major label release to date), while in America it came out as The Evil One on the San Francisco indie 415 Records. The British and American releases featured different track lineups, and each version featured songs which didn't show up on the other; to complicate matters all the more, early versions of three of the songs were released on a small-label EP in France. Sympathy for the Record Industry's new edition of the album, The Evil One, finally gathers all this material in one place for the first time; disc one includes the 15 songs from the Stu Cook sessions, while disc two preserves a 1979 radio show where Erickson plays rough mixes from the soon-to-be-released album and chats about music and monster movies. If The Evil One sounds no less odd all these years after it was recorded, it also plays like one of Roky's best solo efforts. His band, the Aliens, are in sharp, precise form; Erickson's vocals confirm he's a blues-rock belter of the first order (even when he's raving about creatures with atom brains, two-headed dogs, or The Evil One himself), and if the songs are a bit odd lyrically (which you would expect from the titles), the tunes are clever and punchy and rock on out. - Mark Deming, All Music GuideRoky Erickson: vox
The Aliens:
Duane Aslaksen: guitars / Bill Miller: electric autoharp / Steve Burgess: bass / Fuzzy Furioso: drums / Ray Francois: lumper / Andre Lewis: synthesizers, electronic keyboards / Link Davis: hammond organ / Brian Marnell: backing vox

traxfromwax:
1. Two-Headed Dog 2. I Think Of Demons 3. I Walked With A Zombie 4. Don't Shake Me Lucifer 5. Night Of The Vampire 6. White Faces 7. Cold Night For Alligators 8. Creature With The Atom Brain 9. Mine Mine Mind 10. Stand For The Fire Demon

...and as a bonus:
Roky Erickson & Evil Hook Wildlife E.T. 1985 (12"/45rpm single)traxfromwax:
1. a studio rendition of his apocalyptic blues number "The Beast" and 2. a live version of Lou Reed's "Heroin"